Staging and Redesign

Re-purpose Furniture Don't Throw It Away

B Lucas-Thrower (Staging - Interior Redesign & Home Staging) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:58:20 -0600

Going green re-purposing, using what you have...alll great ideas and when put into practice a great way to make something new, beautiful, and useful. Take a good look at your furnishings and see if you can come up with a way to utilize them by changing fabric, color, knobs, or the use. This is a coffee table I picked up off of the street. It is now a bench, a coffee table, an entry piece with a fab piece of art above. Other pictures are of a dining room that was old, out of date, but really great furniture. Think before you discard....it can be a wonderful way to help our environment, and our pocket books. The dining room is beautiful now, the dresser shabby chic and all have been given new life....I also picked up a lamp on the side of the road...painted it and now it is in my home.

"B" Lucas-Thrower, President

Interior Redesign & Home Staging

Nashville, Tennessee

"Creating Beautiful Rooms...One at a Time by Design"

615-481-1399

Coffee Table to Bench in a Few Hours

B Lucas-Thrower (Staging - Interior Redesign & Home Staging) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:42:03 -0600

I picked this up off of the side of the road....yes I do that when I see something that can be re-purposed. The table had great lines, you can find them in thrift shops, and was long and lean. Sand, paint, glue padding on, staple fabric, glue on trim.....this can be used a lot of places for extra seating, a coffee table, entry way with a mirror. So pretty, and so inexpensive.

"B" Lucas-Thrower, President

Interior Redesign & Home Staging

Nashville, Tennessee

"Creating Beautiful Rooms...One at a Time by Design"

615-481-1399

Decorating for Christmas so A House is a Home

B Lucas-Thrower (Staging - Interior Redesign & Home Staging) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:14:40 -0600

It is a dilemma sometimes to decorate or not to decorate for Christmas. What would our wonderful blessed time of year be without the smell, sound, color, and our luminous decorations. Whether it is traditional or a bit unusual it is still okay to make the house feel like a home, even when it is on the market. Why would a potential home owner, you know we call them "buyers", want to walk into a home that is not a bit "dressed" up for the season?

Okay, so what if they are not into Christmas, maybe just a little decorating will make a difference. Maybe a few items on the fireplace, a table set for dinner, or a few Santa's around...not much just enough to add the warmth of the year.

Not too much, just enought to say Happy Holidays and let everyone know this is truly a home, not just a house.

"B" Lucas-Thrower, President

Interior Redesign & Home Staging

Nashville, Tennessee

"Creating Beautiful Rooms...One at a Time by Design"

615-481-1399

Sometimes It is a Simple Thing

B Lucas-Thrower (Staging - Interior Redesign & Home Staging) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:57:16 -0600

I love Christmas, not just the true meaning of Christmas, but decorating and enjoying the lights, smells, and colors. Each year I try to do something just a bit different. This year I was going through my dining room and saw a crystal bowl full of silver ornaments....just a thought, how would those look if they were attached to my napkin holders. Well, they look great to me and just a bit funky.Merry Christmas To You All!

"B" Lucas-Thrower, President

Interior Redesign & Home Staging

Nashville, Tennessee

"Creating Beautiful Rooms...One at a Time by Design"

615-481-1399

A Small But Very Beautiful Condo

B Lucas-Thrower (Staging - Interior Redesign & Home Staging) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:00:59 -0600

It really doesn't take adding anything to make a dramatic difference in a small but cozy condo. This condo is about 954 SF, two bedroom and a bath that had two separate water closets. We simply de-cluttered, rearranged and placed the accessories andto show off the wonderful space.

"B" Lucas-Thrower, President

Interior Redesign & Home Staging

Nashville, Tennessee

"Creating Beautiful Rooms...One at a Time by Design"

615-481-1399

Key Room Staging: It's About the First Impression

B Lucas-Thrower (Staging - Interior Redesign & Home Staging) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:44:56 -0600

I think this post tells the story for vacant home staging. It is incredible what this home stager accomplished by "simple" staging.

Via Laurie Calhoun Seminole County FL Home Stager (Gloria Home Staging, Inc.):

One of the very most important reasons to stage a home is to create a good first impression. Buyers will have an immediate reaction to any home -- well within the first 60 seconds, they will have formed either a positive or negative opinion of the home. They will spend the rest of their time in the home collecting information that backs up or overcomes that opinion.

That's why home staging is such a valuable investment in selling a home. It creates a positive first impression, and then supports that positive opinion as the buyers move through the home.

At Gloria Home Staging, our first recommendation is that the whole home be staged, but occasionally the seller's budget does not allow for that. In the case of this Orlando area home, the seller chose to have us stage its key rooms -- the first rooms that the sellers will see, and the master bedroom. We hope that the warm feelings the beautiful entry provides will carry through the rest of the home, though it is vacant.

Here is the view buyers get when they walk in the door:

And a view of the entire entry area:

And here is the master bed room:

If you are selling a home in the Orlando area, call us at Gloria Home Staging. We would be pleased to create a good first impression for your buyers.

www.GloriaHomeStaging.com

407-695-0023

Setting your home apart

Serving the Orlando, Florida area

"B" Lucas-Thrower, President

Interior Redesign & Home Staging

Nashville, Tennessee

"Creating Beautiful Rooms...One at a Time by Design"

615-481-1399

HGTV Staging is Not the Real Story

B Lucas-Thrower (Staging - Interior Redesign & Home Staging) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:06:53 -0600

I do watch HGTV ... I admit it! I enjoy some shows. Each time I watch a "staging" show I am amazed at the dollar figures they throw out to the public, for instance, "the budget for this staging comes to just under $1000". What they do not say is that the "stager" must be paid and the laborers need to be paid. They have seamstresses, tile experts, carpenters, electricians, painters etc. and yet the budget is "just under $1000". The staging also takes a week to finish. How many hours do you think the "stager" and the contractors work on this one staging? WOW! and for just under $900.....NOT!

The real story is that stagers cost money too. The carpenters, contractors, painters, electricians all have to be paid. So what is the real cost? And what about the shopping time for all the materials used in the staging?

This is not "REAL LIFE STAGING".

A "STAGING CONSULTATION", written "ACTION PLAN" or..

Utilizing what the seller owns, getting them to paint, de-clutter, redo, change, remove, clean, clean and then clean it again.
The "stager" gives them the "plan", they do the work;
or the "stager" comes in with her/his crew and rearranges furniture, packs away items, rehangs art, arranges the lighting, and accessorizes.....and for what, around $350-$1400. The "stager" gets done what they can in the allotted amount of time prearranged with the seller, or Realtor.
The "stager" brings in all furnishings, lighting, art, linens and accessories and charges by the rooms staged, plus rental for the items placed in the home. Add in photography, then the "stager" and laborers fee.....$$$$$$. NOT "just under $900".

So, reality is that staging cost more than portrayed on HGTV, but cost less than the first price reduction and can make the difference between a home that is on the market a shorter period of time, and sells for more money.

Morale: Staging is not portrayed on HGTV as "reality", it is not for the faint at heart or the non-serious Realtor or owner. When a stager quotes their fee why are most people "shocked" by the quote? It is because HGTV has convinced that miracles can be done for "just under $900".

Let's educate the consumers, Realtors, sellers, and home builders. Staging makes a difference and you get what you pay for. Hire a professional..............and "not for just under $900".

"B" Lucas-Thrower, President

Interior Redesign & Home Staging

Nashville, Tennessee

"Creating Beautiful Rooms...One at a Time by Design"

615-481-1399

The Beginning of a ReDesign

B Lucas-Thrower (Staging - Interior Redesign & Home Staging) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 13:44:03 -0500

Here are some of the before pictures of a current redesign I am working on. This home is very pretty and she has great furnishings to work with. What we do not have is warmth, art, accesories and lighting to enhance the spaces. We have completed our first round of shopping and have purchased some terrific things.

New after pictures will be posted in the next few weeks detailing our work and the finished product.

Stay tuned.

"B" Lucas-Thrower, President

Interior Redesign & Home Staging

Nashville, Tennessee

"Creating Beautiful Rooms...One at a Time by Design"

615-481-1399

Community Work is Good for the Soul

B Lucas-Thrower (Staging - Interior Redesign & Home Staging) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 07:19:36 -0500

Working this past week with the Nashville Chapter of the International Assoiation of Home Stagers was a real treat for me. The project, redoing three rooms at a cottage at the Tennessee Baptist Home for Children. This is a cottage occupied by teenagers and their house parents. These children are not here by choice. We tackled the main living area of the home and the results are amazing. There are a lot of generous people in our City of Nashville and their contributions made this all possible. A hert felt thank you to those folks, and you know who you are. THE RESULTS:

"B" Lucas-Thrower, President

Interior Redesign & Home Staging

Nashville, Tennessee

"Creating Beautiful Rooms...One at a Time by Design"

615-481-1399

For Pet Owners: A 10-Point Check-list when Marketing Your Home

B Lucas-Thrower (Staging - Interior Redesign & Home Staging) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 09:11:28 -0500

This is so vital to selling your home. Attention to details is needed at all time.

Via Kim Dillon (Creative Eye Home Staging):

For Pet Owners: A 10-Point Check-list when Marketing Your Home

Make sure you can answer a definitive NO to these ten questions:

1.    Are there pet odors when you enter (ask a 3^rd party since you will be used to the smells and not notice them)? Open windows if possible for a few hours before showings and use Febreze or a similar product.

2.    Is pet hair visible on floors, carpeting or furniture? Vacuum, sweep and use a sticky lint roller to remove hair.

3.    Are the pets' food dishes visible? They should be out of sight or at least in a utility room.

4.    Have pet toys been picked up and placed out of sight? Keep a box or basket handy to collect pet toys and then place them in the garage, basement, or a closet.

5.    Are animals beds stored out of sight? Move under a bed during showings.

6.    Are animal crates inside the home? If so, move them to the garage before showings.

7.    Are litter boxes visible? Train your cats to use boxes where no one can see them.

8.    Are litter boxes dirty? Clean them!

9.    Are bags of pet food visible? Store food in an airtight container to avoid pests and so they are not visible.

10. Is the pet in your home? Take care that they are removed from the premises, contained in a fenced area ofhe yard, or crated in the garage or basement for showings.

For more details on pet solutions when your home is for sale, check out the series:

"THE MONKEY LIVES HERE": Pets and Marketing Your Home

Written by Kim Dillon, Creative Eye Home Staging. Visit our newly renovated website at: www.creativeeyehomestaging.com

"B" Lucas-Thrower, President

Interior Redesign & Home Staging

Nashville, Tennessee

"Creating Beautiful Rooms...One at a Time by Design"

615-481-1399

How to Become a Feature Stager

B Lucas-Thrower (Staging - Interior Redesign & Home Staging) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 08:55:06 -0500

It looks like the only way is to blog, blog, and invite others to join. I think that Active Rain is a wonderful community and to encourage people to join and contribute. Some took my invitation and others said they just don't have time. Well, I don't always have time either, but I do know that every time I visit I learn something. So come on sign up and get busy learning and sharing.

"B" Lucas-Thrower, President

Interior Redesign & Home Staging

Nashville, Tennessee

"Creating Beautiful Rooms...One at a Time by Design"

615-481-1399

Staged to Sell

B Lucas-Thrower (Staging - Interior Redesign & Home Staging) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 08:47:25 -0500

When we decide to sell our homes it is both emotional from the view point that we really don't want to move, or we simply do not want to deal with all of the headaches involved in moving. Either way it is hectic, unsettling, and emotional times ahead. In order to make it a great deal easier quite a few sellers and a number of Realtors hire stagers to consult with them on "how to get it done" with the least amount of stress and delay in getting the property on the market. Here are some suggestions to start the process:

Immediately stand at the door of each room and take a serious look at what you are seeing.
Look at baseboards and trim to make sure they are in great repair and the paint looks fresh.
Are the window treatments up to date and on trend, are the blinds or shutters clean and neat.
Look up at the ceiling, does it need paint, are their dry wall tape issues, stains.
Look at the walls, how about the color, is it neutral and appealing to most buyers.
Now, look down, how about those floors. If the carpet is stained and will not clean to look new, replace all f the carpet. This is an investment that will repay big time.
Address accessories, make sure lamp shades are appropriate and in great condition. How about the way your art is arranged, the frames, mats, are they on trend.
Where did all of that clutter come from, clean it out, and clean it up
Look very closely at kitchens and baths. They must be spotless. One of the greatest investments you can make to ensure a higher price is replacing outdated fixtures, lighting, counter tops and floors in kitchens and baths.
Stand outside in the front and back yards. Do you like what you see?

The next step after you have done your own walk through and made notes is to call a professional stager to come in and affirm what you already may know, and add what you may not know will make a difference.

Take your room from this to this.

It does make a difference to stage your rooms in your home and the investment you make in a professional stager will pay off ten fold.

"B" Lucas-Thrower, President

Interior Redesign & Home Staging

Nashville, Tennessee

"Creating Beautiful Rooms...One at a Time by Design"

615-481-1399

Homes Are Selling and Which Ones?

B Lucas-Thrower (Staging - Interior Redesign & Home Staging) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 09:38:11 -0500

I just took a tour of the local Realtracs listings in several neighborhoods. It is very interesting to look at the houses that have contingency contracts on them, are pending, or have sold. The ones left behind seem to have issues with the pictures on the web site, so I am sure they issues when seen in person if they get that chance at all. It is so vitally important for a house to look like a home when the buyer begins their internet search. Statistics show that more than 80% of buyers looking for a home start on the Internet. They look at houses, all fo the pictures, size, features, neighborhood amenities, etc. and they decide which ones to view with their Realtor, or on their own with the listing agent.

Some of the homes look "horrible". They are messy, you seen waste cans, the furniture is "out of whack", the window treatments are unattractive, and the paint only suits the current owner, not to mention dirty work out carpet.

It still amazes me that our largest investment is the one we abuse the most. From the day we purchase our home, we need to immediately begin the maintenance process. When fixtures are outdated, replace them. When paint is not longer fresh, repaint. When a color goes out of style, paint it with a on trend shade. When window treatments do not touch the floor, or are hung two low, fix it. When door knobs and cabinet hardware is out of date replace them. When white cabinets are "out" glaze them a new color. When carpet is not longer cleanable, replace it. Add hardwoods and tile wherever you can.

Maintenance ongoing is far less expensive than when you are ready to "sell" and move on. Contact a local real estate stager or redesigner and have them give you a written report every so often to let you now what is happening out in the market place. Keep abreast of style and you will not have a house that sets on the market longer than the one down the street.

A picture tells the story. Make sure you are telling a story someone wants to read.

"B" Lucas-Thrower, President

Interior Redesign & Home Staging

Nashville, Tennessee

"Creating Beautiful Rooms...One at a Time by Design"

615-481-1399

Bradford Hills in Nashville Beauty

B Lucas-Thrower (Staging - Interior Redesign & Home Staging) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:41:45 -0500

I had the pleasure of staging this home in Nashville in the Bradford Hills Subdivision. It is a great home and has all of the bells and whistles including the price. If you have a client interested in a home that is immaculate, this is the one for them. Truly a beautiful home with a great location, fenced back yard!!!!

"B" Lucas-Thrower, President

Interior Redesign & Home Staging

Nashville, Tennessee

"Creating Beautiful Rooms...One at a Time by Design"

615-481-1399

A Great Home

B Lucas-Thrower (Staging - Interior Redesign & Home Staging) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:09:57 -0500

I often find that it is a matter of placement when it comes to staging as it is in interior redesign. We live in our homes far different than we stage them, however, very often the sellers like the staging arrangement much better than before. I have secured many redesigns from my staging clientele when they move to their new homes. Here are some additional examples of the befores and afters. See more at my website http://www.interiorredesignandhomestaging.com.

"B" Lucas-Thrower, President

Interior Redesign & Home Staging

Nashville, Tennessee

"Creating Beautiful Rooms...One at a Time by Design"

615-481-1399

A Pleasure Staging this One

B Lucas-Thrower (Staging - Interior Redesign & Home Staging) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 07:24:00 -0500

This home is beautiful and I was so honored to the allowed to stage the important rooms in the home. Historic Landmarks need to feel like home when the buyers comes to visit. It is not a matter of how much the home cost but a matter of how warm and inviting the home feels. Buyers will know this fabulously beautiful historic landmark can be a home to be loved for years to come. Each room offers architectural details that will be enhanced by their furnishings, art, accessories, love. The home offers modern convenience, history, and warmth.

"B" Lucas-Thrower, President

Interior Redesign & Home Staging

Nashville, Tennessee

"Creating Beautiful Rooms...One at a Time by Design"

615-481-1399

I Need Help and I Need it Now

B Lucas-Thrower (Staging - Interior Redesign & Home Staging) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:11:36 -0500

I haven't blogged in a while. Well, you see I have a problem. When I try to share my pictures with you fine folks all I hear is a click and get a funny little yellow star with a ! in it (when I try to browse). I want very much to share my great wit, wisdom, and of course awesome pictures, but I can't. Can anyone out there help me get this blogger back up and running. HELP! See I just tried again to add an image, well it ain't gonna happen till someone helps me.

"B" Lucas-Thrower, President

Interior Redesign & Home Staging

Nashville, Tennessee

"Creating Beautiful Rooms...One at a Time by Design"

615-481-1399

Wonderful Blog Group

B Lucas-Thrower (Staging - Interior Redesign & Home Staging) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 07:07:16 -0500

This is a fabulous group. I look foward to reading more about the day to day of the Realtor.

"B" Lucas-Thrower, President

Interior Redesign & Home Staging

Nashville, Tennessee

"Creating Beautiful Rooms...One at a Time by Design"

615-481-1399

Realtors and Staging

B Lucas-Thrower (Staging - Interior Redesign & Home Staging) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 07:04:17 -0500

I am finding more and more Realtors that do not use stagers as a part of their listing team. What is the resistance? The Realtors that I do work with call me on every listing, whether the home has beautiful furnishings or not. Houses can always benefit from staging. The Real Estate Staging Association has a wonderful "Consumers Guide to Staging" that woule be a natural to give to your potential selling client. This explains all fo the benefits of staging and will assist you in bringing in your staging team member.

"B" Lucas-Thrower, President

Interior Redesign & Home Staging

Nashville, Tennessee

"Creating Beautiful Rooms...One at a Time by Design"

615-481-1399

Uploading Pics

B Lucas-Thrower (Staging - Interior Redesign & Home Staging) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 06:52:22 -0500

My computer will not allow me to insert images into my blog. Help. I know it is my pop up blocker. How do I fix this?

"B" Lucas-Thrower, President

Interior Redesign & Home Staging

Nashville, Tennessee

"Creating Beautiful Rooms...One at a Time by Design"

615-481-1399

Seminar Schminar

B Lucas-Thrower (Staging - Interior Redesign & Home Staging) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:54:23 -0500

Recently I was a part of a wonderful seminar (free) on interior redesign and staging. I participated with three other stagers, re-designers, and an organizer/stager. It was a great seminar and I feel that all of the attendees took home something from it they can use. I know I did.

I am also participating in a fabulous "Addicted to Decorating" paid seminar on June 13, 2009 at the Holiday Inn Brentwood. Carol Bass, a renowed decorator and educator is putting on this event and it will prove to be one of the best anyone could attend to get the basics of decorating. Whetjer you stage, or redesign, you bring a lot of each together in the finished product you provide to your clients.

For more information on this seminar visit http://www.addictedtodecorating.com. You will love it and I will see you there.

"B" Lucas-Thrower, President

Interior Redesign & Home Staging

Nashville, Tennessee

"Creating Beautiful Rooms...One at a Time by Design"

615-481-1399

Reaching the For Sale by Owner to Stage

B Lucas-Thrower (Staging - Interior Redesign & Home Staging) — Mon, 11 May 2009 18:11:41 -0500

I give up....am I supposed to call them when I see their sign go up, or look them up on the internet and see if their home needs to be staged? Doesn't everyones home need to be staged. I would love to work with more home owners that are preparing to sell their homes. I would love to hear from you guys how to reach them in a professional and smart way. Please share.

"B" Lucas-Thrower, President

Interior Redesign & Home Staging

Nashville, Tennessee

"Creating Beautiful Rooms...One at a Time by Design"

615-481-1399

Staging is Harder on the Elderly

B Lucas-Thrower (Staging - Interior Redesign & Home Staging) — Sat, 02 May 2009 06:52:05 -0500

Recently I had the opportunity to consult on a staging for an elderly lady. This lady lives alone, her family nearby, and was moving into the basement of her daughters home in the near future. She had lived in her home quite some time. The home was not as up to date as it should have been. There was need to update lighting, bath fixtures, carpet and paint. All of this was included in the report.

My challenge, however, it "HOW NOT TO OVERWHELM" the elderly. We as stagers need to offer our professional staging expertise, but do we? I felt terrible, the lady was soon crossing her arms, and I knew that this was a no go for her and for the house to be staged. I would love to hear from other stagers as to how they approach "staging for the elderly". I am learning every day and now feel I should have not offered a full staging approach to the house, but a modified one based on her ability.

Any suggestions?

"B" Lucas-Thrower, President

Interior Redesign & Home Staging

Nashville, Tennessee

"Creating Beautiful Rooms...One at a Time by Design"

615-481-1399

Staging for the President

B Lucas-Thrower (Staging - Interior Redesign & Home Staging) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:36:01 -0500

Of Duke University that is. I, along with my friend Michael at ReCreations, just completed a set at the Frist Center for Visual Arts. We were asked to prepare a set much like an office. Here are the results.

"B" Lucas-Thrower, President

Interior Redesign & Home Staging

Nashville, Tennessee

"Creating Beautiful Rooms...One at a Time by Design"

615-481-1399

Staging Tips You Should Not Ignore

B Lucas-Thrower (Staging - Interior Redesign & Home Staging) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:14:01 -0500

I rently had a consultation at a home listed above $400K. The home was all brick and certainly in a great neighborhood with sought after schools. The seller, however, did not take the competition seriously enough. Yes, they priced their home lower than the competition, butwhat needs to be done to this house are new master bath, new kitchen floors and hardware, new carpet throughout with pad, wallpaper removed and rooms painted, lighting & fans inside and out, new hardware on the doors, two additional bath remodels.

I am not sure what the total cost would be, but it does bring the home into the $500K area for the new buyer. Do they want to purchase a dated home for over $400K and make all of the upgrades, or a brand new one that is move in ready? In our market the sellers of older homes have to compete with the new in the same price range, and the prices are dropping on the new, and the deals are being offered by the builders.

The things stressed to the seller wereto replace the carpet, update the bath fixtures and lighting, replace the knobs on the kitchen cabinets, replace the ceiling fans and lights, take down the wallpaper and paint. Just these upgrades have a great return on investment and the house would be in line with the competition

Buyers overestimate the cost almost every time on making improvements to homes. They can buy a lot of homes in our area for over $400K that are truly spectacular and need no renovation.

If you make no changes to your home prior to placing it on the market, update the lighting & fans, knobs and hardware throughout, new carpet, paint all rooms neutral and take down the wallpaper that is outdated. You will get your money back in the price offered by the buyer. Remember, kitchens and baths are your best investment....plus new carpet.

"B" Lucas-Thrower, President

Interior Redesign & Home Staging

Nashville, Tennessee

"Creating Beautiful Rooms...One at a Time by Design"

615-481-1399